impressment

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Outraged by British impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy, he banged the drum for war, declaring that “the liberty of our sailors and their redemption from slavery” were at stake.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2021

Going further, angry mobs had mobilized in 1747 to protect sailors from impressment, or forced service in the British navy.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

One major cause was the British practice of impressment, whereby American sailors were taken at sea and forced to fight on British warships; this issue was left unresolved by Jay’s Treaty in 1794.

From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014

Some Americans saw a vast plot to recolonize the United States, not just in the impressment of sailors, but also in the growing unrest of Indians in the West.

From Slate • May 25, 2012

It recognized England’s right to retain tariffs on American exports while granting English imports most-favored status in the United States; it implicitly accepted English impressment of American sailors.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis